Ghana, Colombia to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Ghana and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The agreement would facilitate joint projects in several areas, including immigration, agriculture, political consultations, air services, education, technical cooperation, sports, and youth development.
The MoU was signed in Accra yesterday after high-level talks between the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and her Colombian counterpart, Francia Elena Márquez Mina.
The Colombian Vice-President is in the country on a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
She was received at the Forecourt of the Vice-President’s Secretariat at the Presidency in Accra, after she had received a national salute, and also reviewed a guard of honour mounted in her honour.
Significance
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described the visit as “a reflection of the deepening friendship between our countries” and a demonstration of the two countries’ shared determination to expand the scope and ambition of their relations.
“Ghana values and appreciates the warm and growing partnership with Colombia. And of course, we are committed to advancing meaningful cooperation between us,” she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added that Ghana and Colombia were tied by enduring historical linkages, cultural affinities and shared vision for mutual progress.
She said over the years, both countries had made deliberate efforts to build a solid platform for cooperation, which she added, offered an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to progress, reflect on the trajectory of their partnership, and explore new avenues for cooperation.
The Vice-President further stressed that the future of the partnership should align with the strategic priorities of both governments, with a focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development.
She encouraged the Colombian delegation to take advantage of the extensive investment opportunities it had been exposed to during a business seminar organised by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) earlier yesterday.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said that the country valued Colombia's enduring support for the teaching of the Spanish language in Ghana, a programme she said had significantly enhanced institutional capacity and deepened cross-cultural understanding.
Climate resilience
The Vice-President also reaffirmed Ghana’s interest in working with Colombia to advance equitable environmental governance, adding that global climate challenges required “coordinated efforts guided by fairness, a sense of responsibility, and a collective resolve to safeguard our planet.”
She said the two nations shared “principled commitments to foster a more inclusive and equitable international system,” one that strengthened South-South collaboration and ensured global governance structures reflected the priorities of developing countries.
Other engagements
Prior to holding bilateral discussions with Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, Vice-President Mina, who arrived in the country last Wednesday, was met on arrival by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, at the Kotoka International Airport.
Vice-President Mina was later hosted to a state dinner.
Today, she would be visiting the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and also meeting with the Executive Members of Fidelity Bank Ghana.
Vice-President Mina is also expected to call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, today before her departure tomorrow.
